Community Mobilization Assistant at Save The Children

Introduction

• Save the Children International is a 'dual mandate' organisation and as such equal priority will be given to both humanitarian and development work. This is the only way we will be able to ensure that some of the fundamental rights that we believe children have, such as survival, safety and constant access to protection and education can be guaranteed.
• As part of a commitment to work with children through humanitarian interventions Save the Children will support programmes in both sudden onset and chronic emergency situations.

Role Purpose

• Support the State team to ensure commitment and involvement of local authorities and community members in the programme; and support community mobilization to ensure participation, sustainability of the Humanitarian programme as well as that the voices of community members, including women and children are heard.
• In the event of a major humanitarian emergency, the role holder will be expected to work outside the normal role profile and be able to vary working hours accordingly.

Key Areas of Accountability
Objective 1: Strategy Development:

• Identify policy and practice change, on the basis of Save the Children’s experience, that would promote and protect the rights of children.
• Support in formulating key advocacy messages and targets from lessons learned, assessments, research and evidence gained through project implementation on Nutrition, WaSH and child Protection.
• Ensure that voices of children form the basis of Save the Children’s advocacy strategy.
• Support community mobilization officer in areas where is necessary
• Maintain a strategic overview of issues affecting child Nutrition, monitoring trends in the external environment and inputting to organisational strategy and planning processes.
• Ensure Save the Children visibility in the statePrepare monthly reports of activities carried out In the states
• Support any other Save the Children-led activities as may be requerid

Objective 2: Influencing:

• Develop good knowledge of local and national government structures, parliamentary and political processes and key decision making structures and how to influence them.
• Develop a feedback mechanism for communicating Save the Children programmes
• Produce reports, briefing papers and presentations for internal and external audiences, as directed.

Objective 3: Collaboration & Representation:

• Develop and sustain strategic relationships with other agencies engaged in advocacy and policy work.
• Support in facilitating capacity building of staff from Save the Children and partner agencies in advocacy and communications.
• Represent Save the Children at various policy forums and advocacy opportunities at state and LGA levels, as directed.

Objective 4: Programme Development:

• Provide technical support on voice and community mobilization to State programme team
• Develop a community mobilisation strategy in collaboration with the team and ensure implementation
• Train and mentor Local consultants – Community support
• Participate in the preparation or review of programme monitoring and evaluation tools where necessary
• Ensure flexibility at all time

Experience and Skills
Essential:

• A degree in health, social work, psychology, communications or related social science field.
• Substantial experience in advocacy and policy development / research in the development context.
• Good understanding of the possibilities and tactics for influencing decision and policy makers, politicians, donors, and other key actors.
• Knowledge of the media and its role in raising awareness and shaping public policy.
• Good understanding of strategies for achieving child protection, Psychosocial programming policies through participatory processes, and the links with gender, diversity and other aspects of identity.
• Excellent conceptual and analytical skills and demonstrable ability to think strategically, innovatively and practically to ensure achievement of desired change objectives.
• Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences at local, state and national levels.
• Ability to build and maintain relationships with partner agencies and key contacts in the government, NGO, civil society (coalitions) and media sectors.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and meet strict deadlines.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, flexibility, adaptability and ability to work effectively as a member of a team.
• Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheets, email / internet) and ability to be self-supporting in most administrative tasks.
• Fluent English language skills (written and verbal).
• Commitment to the values, mission, aims and policies of Save the Children.

Desireable:

• Experience in training others in advocacy techniques and influencing tactics.
• Prior work experience in advocacy in Nigeria.
• Experience working on Humanitarian programming.
• Local language skills (Hausa).